KSTP ordered to pay $1 million to holistic healer in defamation suit

The Star Tribune reports the jury's reward could be the largest verdict ever in a defamation lawsuit. KSTP had reported that a holistic healer from Hudson had "de-prescribed" an anti-anxiety medication to a patient, who later told KSTP she tried to commit suicide as a result. The lawsuit says the patient's own doctor had taken her off the medication and that there was no record of a suicide attempt. An attorney says the TV station will likely appeal the verdict.

The Star Tribune reports the jury's reward could be the largest verdict ever in a defamation lawsuit. KSTP had reported that a holistic healer from Hudson had "de-prescribed" an anti-anxiety medication to a patient, who later told KSTP she tried to commit suicide as a result. The lawsuit says the patient's own doctor had taken her off the medication and that there was no record of a suicide attempt. An attorney says the TV station will likely appeal the verdict.

A federal jury found Minnetonka-based Michael Foods infringed on three patents of Illinois-based National Pasteurized Eggs involving pasteurized shell egg production. Twin Cities Business reports jurors also determined three of Michael Foods' patents were invalid. The company says it is "“surprised and disappointed with the jury’s verdict" and is considering an appeal.

The Porton Group and its partners filed a lawsuit claiming the Maplewood company failed to deliver on a promise to market a diagnostic test for hospitals. 3M made a multimillion-dollar deal to acquire the test in 2007, but much of the payout was tied to future sales. A year later, 3M had dropped the product, BacLite. The investment fund had sought $40 million in the suit. Both sides have claimed a victory in the case.

The average chief executive officer in Minnesota is making over $1 million once again. The Star Tribune reports that in 2011, the median total pay for Minnesota's 100 highest-paid CEOs jumped by 26 percent to $1.19 million, hitting seven digits for the first time since 2007. Of the top 100 CEOs, 71 got a salary bump last year.

KSTP-TV is bringing two Minnesotans back to the state: Eric Kahnert, who grew up in Apple Valley, joins the station as weeknight news anchor on Labor Day, the Pioneer Press reports. Todd Wilson, a Minneapolis native, starts work at the Hubbard-owned station as a general assignment reporter Thursday.

The school says it will file an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court over the Jimmy Williams lawsuit. An attorney for the school says the judgment "has the potential to harm the University now and in the future." The Court of Appeals upheld an earlier decision saying the school must pay Williams $1 million after promising him a coaching job. Williams reportedly accepted the offer, put his house up for sale and quit his job at Oklahoma State. The U of M athletic director later refused to hire him.

The Republican-controlled Senate Rules Committee voted 6-1 in support of a lawsuit which suggests Gov. Mark Dayton overstepped his bounds when he ordered a union election for childcare providers in the state.